What is the Current Performance of the NHS (in 2026)?

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Taken during the pandemic lockdown, showing appreciate to the NHS.

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What is the Current Performance of the NHS (in 2026)?

This information is taken from the ‘NHS key statistics: England‘ (House of Commons Library, February 2026).

How long is the the waiting list for hospital treatment?

Line chart showing a time series of the number of people waiting for hospital treatment in England

The waiting list for hospital treatment rose to a record of 7.7 million in September 2023, but has since fallen to around 7.3 million in November 2025. The 18-week treatment target has not been met since 2016.

Source: NHS England, Consultant-Led Referral to Treatment Waiting Times

How long are waiting times in A&E?

Line chart showing a time series of the number of people waiting over 4 hours in major A&E departments in England

The proportion of patients spending more than 4 hours in hospital A&E grew substantially between 2015 and 2020. A new record high of 50.4% was reached in December 2022. In December 2025, 40.4% of patients waited over 4 hours in hospital A&E.

The number of patients waiting over 12 hours for admission after a decision to admit has increased substantially since the middle of 2021.

Line chart showing a time series of people waiting over 12 hours for admission to hospital in England

Source: NHS England, Accident and Emergency Attendances and Emergency Admissions

How long are waiting times for cancer treatment?

Line chart showing a time series of people treated for cancer within 62 days of referral in England

The 62-day waiting time standard for cancer has not been met in recent years. Targets have recently changed – see section 3 of the full PDF brieﬁng for details. Previously, the standard measured only waits after GP referral, but now other routes are included, covering around 43% more patients. The 85% target remains the same. In November 2025, on the new standard, 70.2% of patients were treated within 62 days of referral.

Source: NHS England, Cancer Waiting Times

How have NHS staff numbers changed over time?

Line chart showing a time series of the percentage change since 2010 in the number of doctors and nurses in England.

NHS staff numbers have increased, with doctor numbers up 24% and nurses up 25% over the five years to June 2025. The NHS vacancy rate was 6.7% in September 2025, down from 7.4% in September 2024.

These workforce figures do not adjust for changes in demand or activity.

Source: NHS Digital, NHS Workforce Statistics

How long are waiting times for ambulances?

Line charts showing a time series of ambulance response times for Category 1 and Category 2 calls.

Ambulance response times have risen, with the average response to a Category 2 call (for e.g. suspected heart attacks and strokes) at over 1 hour 30 minutes in December 2022 compared with a target of 18 minutes. Performance has subsequently improved but remains outside the target.